SAPER GALLERIES

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About Saper Galleries

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A History of Service Awards For Excellence
Owns its Own Always-Changing Inventory Herman Miller Classic-Design Furniture
Art of Every Medium and Style and Price Range Public Art a Specialty
World-Class Exhibitions Unique to Saper Galleries The Tunis Ponsen Estate Paintings
Dedicated to Service and Excellence Free Art Search Services
First Choice for Business Art Acquisition Assistance Read All About Us
Matting and Framing by Graduate Art Professionals <click left for a special gift! Serving the Community  < New
Restoration of Paintings and Works of Art on Paper Doing Our Part for a Green Planet   < New

A History of ServiceEntrance to Saper Galleries in East Lansing, Michigan

Saper Galleries is a world-renowned award-winning bricks-and-mortar art gallery located in downtown East Lansing, Michigan. For 29 years (21 in its landmark gallery building) Saper Galleries has been a leader in providing friendly, honest, reliable, professional, and quality service to thousands of art collectors from New York to Florida to Alaska and elsewhere around the world. Click here to see what our clients say about us!   A recent 2,000 square foot addition to the gallery features a 48-foot long barrel-vault skylight which bathes the spacious gallery with natural, filtered light. The addition was highlighted in the June, 2000 issue of Art World News.  In early 2001 a 32-foot skylight was installed over the center of the three main galleries.   Click here to see photographs of the award-winning gallery building!  Saper Galleries serves art collectors from around the world.  Only one fifth of our Internet visitors are from the United States.   Others visit us from Costa Rica, Spain, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, Algeria, Egypt, France, United Kingdom, Iran, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Palestinian Territory, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, South Africa, and others.

Owns its Own Always-Changing Inventory
Peter Max exhibition in main gallery
The Gallery owns and inventories more than 1,500 original works of art by 150 artists which can be viewed at and acquired from the museum-like gallery. We are working now to put our entire inventory on this web site for you to enjoy.  If we don't have it then we'll get it for you. Our free art search services will work to get exactly what you're looking for, no matter when or where you saw it! Click here to see a listing of the Saper Galleries current inventory.


Art of Every Medium and Style and Price Range
West Gallery
The single criterion that applies to all the art shown at Saper Galleries is quality. Saper Galleries has a broad vision in terms of art it shows. It recognizes that art, like music, reflects the varied tastes of individuals. We respect the interests of all collectors and show a range of imagery from traditional and impressionist styles to contemporary and nonrepresentational imagery. All media is represented in the Saper Galleries inventory -- paintings, drawings, limited edition prints, sculpture, hand-blown glass, raku, bas-reliefs, Polages, kinetic light sculptures, mobiles, marble vases, and holographs.  If it's art, we at Saper Galleries can get it for you.

World-Class Exhibitions Unique to Saper Galleries
Roy Saper, Peter Yarrow, Peter max Roy Saper, Peter Yarrow and Peter Max at Saper Galleries
Since opening the present gallery building in 1986, Saper Galleries has created over 30 major exhibitions. Norman Rockwell; Three Generations of the Pissarro Family; Meeting of the Masters: Rembrandt and Picasso; From Pop to Patriotism: Peter Max Comes to East Lansing are some of the exhibitions which generated noteworthy acclaim for the uniqueness of the exhibitions, their scholarly descriptive material, and breadth of imagery exhibited. Saper Galleries exhibitions focus on quality and a rare sense of excellence that provides the viewer much more than simply art on the wall. We dedicate ourselves to meeting the charge of sharing information that allows the viewer to better understand the artist, what the artist created, and why. Click here for a listing of our special exhibitions!

Dedicated to Service and ExcellenceThe Saper Galleries Team
Saper Galleries focuses on providing a high level of personalized service dedicated to ensuring collectors an art acquisition
experience that is fun, educational, informative, and friendly. We treat people with courtesy, kindness, and respect -- with the ultimate objective of satisfying their art requirements in a way that exceeds their expectations. Collectors of art from Saper Galleries have received courtesy invitations to artist studios, private dinners and visits with artists from their collections, signed and dedicated books from artists they collect, and other special -- and unexpected courtesies -- specially arranged for their benefit. Saper Galleries provides art acquisition and installation services no matter where you live on the planet.            

 Jim, Jennifer, Roy, and  Salina     

First Choice for Business Art Acquisition Assistance
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union Board Room Michigan State University's Federal Credit Union Board Room
Professional offices, corporations, and associations also receive a high degree of personalized assistance with selecting works of art appropriate for the image, design, and budget requirements of the project.  Designers often use Saper Galleries as the art division of their business, leaving the selection, acquisition, framing and installation to the Gallery professionals for the benefit of their clients. Hospitals, attorney offices, medical facilities, financial institutions, associations, universities, hotels, and governmental offices (among others) have awarded their art contracts to Saper Galleries due to their competent professionalism, knowledge, full-service attention to detail -- and staying under budget to complete all projects before they are due for completion. Please contact us now to have us share with you how we can help update the art on your walls.

Matting and Framing by Art Graduate Professionals

 Jennifer, Salina and Jim in the Saper Galleries Framing Department Some of the Saper Galleries Framing Team
If you own it, we can frame it!  We frame everything right here in our East Lansing gallery building.  Professional matting and framing services at Saper Galleries are significantly different from what you may find elsewhere. The framing team is comprised of real professionals with degrees in art and training in design and color. Saper Galleries framing professionals have long-term, dedicated career experience at the Gallery. They are committed to the highest degree of excellence in all aspects of the matting and framing process: from selection and design of the proper matting and framing materials, to use of the correct methods and materials used for hinging or mounting the art, to flawless execution of the hand-cut mats and perfect-corner frame assembly.

Saper Galleries prices are less than many of the "big box" framers even after their "come-on" coupons to get you in their door (based on an "apples-to-apples" comparison).   The difference, though, goes beyond price.  At Saper Galleries you are served by long-term professionals (rather than counter clerks) who actually build the frames and cut the mats and assemble your framing.  The Saper Galleries team has training and expertise in color and design so that suggested framing solutions are appropriate for your art.  With more than 2,000 frame samples from which to choose (and hundreds of fabrics for fabric-wrapped liners) we guarantee your total satisfaction with the best solutions possible for the presentation of your art. 

Archival-quality framing is the standard at Saper Galleries, with a high regard for the proper preservation of the art framed. From 100% cotton mats and hinging boards, to hand-made mulberry paper hinges, to ultraviolet filtering glass, we are sensitive to the needs of ensuring the long-term preservation of photographs, documents, works of art, family heirlooms, and children's art that collectors rightfully want to frame properly the first time. Saper Galleries is a long-time member of the Professional Picture Framers Association and continues to be selected as the Best of the Best picture framer in this area.  And to reward you for reading this far, please click here for a special gift for you from the Saper Galleries framing team!

Restoration of Paintings and Works of Art on Paper
Restoration of paper document: before and after
Paintings needing restoration (due to tears, holes, water and smoke damage, or accumulation of grime) can be cleaned through a partnership Saper Galleries has with the professionals at the Chicago Conservation Center. As this example illustrates, works of art on paper can also be treated to remove stains due to foxing, light, mat burn, water damage, adhesives, and mold. Paper tears can be repaired so the problem becomes virtually undetectable. Call on Saper Galleries to learn how your work of art can be expertly brought back to its original condition, and preserved for future generations.


Awards For Excellence

Saper Galleries has continued to win awards since it was created.  Its first recognition was from the local community whSample of Awards Receivedich awarded its "We Care" award for the Gallery's landscaping, property maintenance, and being a good neighbor in a downtown bordered by family homes.  Decor Magazine awarded Saper Galleries three Awards of Excellence over the years: for the Gallery's design and function of space, for professional management and computer use, and for its effective use of billboards for exhibition promotion.  Gallery owner, Roy C. Saper, received the City of East Lansing's Crystal Award, the first year it was presented in 1988, for his contributions to the City. For many years (most recently in 2007) mid-Michigan newspapers (The Towne Courier and Lansing State Journal) have awarded Saper Galleries the "Best of the Best" award in reader polls which continue to cite Saper Galleries as "the best art gallery" and best picture framer.  In December, 2000 Roy Saper and Saper Galleries won the Business-Arts Award from the Arts Council Center of Greater Lansing. In February, 2003 Roy was awarded the Outstanding Small Business Person of the Year award by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Saper Galleries was honored as one of the Top 100 Galleries in the August, 2003 issue of Decor Magazine.  In September, 2007 Saper Galleries was recognized as the number one gallery in the nation by Decor Magazine.

Herman Miller Classic-Design Furniture
Herman Miller Furniture Displayed at Saper Galleries
If it's good enough for the Art Institute of Chicago, New York's Museum of Modern Art, and the Smithsonian, it's good enough for Saper Galleries. The classic furniture as designed by Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Isamu Noguchi as manufactured by Herman Miller have, until recently, been available for acquisition from Saper Galleries. At this time the Gallery still has available from inventory the soft-pad Eames Chaise Lounge.
Click here to see the Eames Chaise Lounge now on display at Saper Galleries.



Public Art a Specialty                                        Girl with Doves bronze sculptureGirl with Doves bronze sculpture at Michigan State University's Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
Art in public places requires a sensitivity to community and aesthetic considerations while satisfying budgetary requirements. Saper Galleries has qualified experience in creating and placing major sculptures in public spaces. We have taken the burden off many art selection panels by providing for the design, commissioning, scheduling, and installation of significant out-door bronzes. For businesses, governments, and colleges and universities, Saper Galleries can be relied upon to deliver what the community and sponsors want, on time, and within budget. We guarantee satisfaction and accept nothing less.

The Tunis Ponsen Estate Paintings
Corn Shocks in Field by Tunis Ponsen
Saper Galleries is proud to have earned the honor and distinction of managing the estate paintings of the Dutch born painter Tunis Ponsen. On site and available for your viewing and acquisition are more than 300 works of art created between 1930 and 1967. They include oil paintings on canvas, watercolors, and an extremely limited number of single-color lithographs and linoleum block prints. Please click here for additional information and pictures of available paintings by Tunis Ponsen. 



Free Art Search Services
Saper Galleries will search the world to locate and acquire for you any work of art you are looking for: paintings, limited edition prints, or reproductions. We are often called upon to locate art that people saw years ago.  Collectors contact us to acquire for them a copy of a limited edition they saw in a professional building or friend's home.  We are often asked to locate works of art that collectors saw while traveling.  No matter what it is, if it is for sale, we will locate and acquire it for you.  Please provide us with as much information as you are able: artist name, title, medium (for example: original painting, limited edition, or reproduction), where and when you saw the art, price -- and any other information to ensure we find the correct work of art.  And best of all, the Saper Galleries Art Acquisition Search Services are FREE!  Try it now!

Read All About Us!
Click here to read articles about Saper Galleries from Art World News; The State News from East Lansing's Michigan State University; the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Michigan, Lansing CityPulse, PMA Magazine, Lansing State Journal, midmichigander.com, and others.

Doing Our Part for a Green Planet
Since we built and moved into our downtown East Lansing, Michigan location in 1986 we have attempted to do all we can to play a role inWest Gallery skylight protecting our environment and using resources wisely and efficiently.  Before the City started its recycling program Saper Galleries recycled 100% of its cardboard (from daily art and framing shipments received) through local scrap recyclers.  We now minimize the use of paper by processing all Internet orders electronically including invoicing, appraisals, and other such documents.  All paper we receive is recycled.   We have not been as successful in finding a way to recycle glass scraps from our framing department and, as with the rest of the framing industry, we continue to try to find a market for that material.  Our mat and foam board scraps are donated to schools and daycares so there is no waste going to landfills.  Old frames we remove from art that customers have us reframe get donated to others.  We donated more than 1,000 very strong shipping tubes (many extremely large) to East Lansing High School where they were used by art, physics and other teachers for projects with their students.   In addition to cardboard recycling, we also recycle or reuse 100 percent of the styrofoam, Kraft paper, bubble-wrap and other packaging material we receive about daily.  Although we attempt to use technology where ever possible, the minimal amount of office paper that arrives is used on both sides to reduce waste.  Our weekly trash output is much less than that of an average family residence.

Beyond recycling and reusing consumable resources, the Saper Galleries building relies mostly on natural daylight through numerous skylights (up to 48-feet long) throughout the 6,000 square feet building.  The lights are rarely on at Saper Galleries as natural light is sufficient most always -- and much better for viewing art and selecting mat and framing.  Lights that do come up when the level of illumination otherwise is low, are programmed to dim down when the spaces are not occupied which helps save both the art and electric consumption.  We have been using compact fluorescent bulbs since they came out whenever practical. 

Plants play an important role at Saper Galleries.  Outdoors we are one of the very few downtown businesses which have grass and plantings surrounding the building including a beautiful large Japanese maple by our storage garage.  (See photos of the gallery here.)   Inside we always have plants throughout although they are a challenge to keep thriving due to the UV-filtering we have in our skylights.  Our skylights also filter out heat during the warmer months and provide additional insulating with their double layers. 

Our walls are up to 14 inches thick and the ceilings and roof are also highly insulated so that our high-efficiency zoned furnaces rarely cycle on.  During the day we keep the furnace and ceiling fans running to keep the space comfortable without having to continually heat the air due to the energy efficiency of the space, all a part of its original design.  Our vestibule front and side entrances also keep out drafts by having two doors with a neutral air space between and thermo-pane glazing everywhere.  Most of our roofing is white rather than black to reflect rather than absorb heat.  Our intent was to keep the space energy efficient by design and always comfortable while minimize heating and cooling expenses.

Saper Galleries is a member of "Capital Area Local First" which, with others, supports local ownership, a sense of community, and financial, environmental, and social well being in the Greater Lansing Michigan Area.  In October, 2007 Saper Galleries was recognized and honored by the Michigan Retailers Association for contributions in protecting the environment and helping combat global warming.

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Saper Galleries.... where excellence is the standard!

                       

433 Albert Avenue       East Lansing, Michigan 48823      USA TOLL FREE now: (877)537-5251     (517)351-0815